GORDON STRACHAN watched Saints reach their first FA Cup semi-final for 17 years and insisted: "We don't fear anyone!"

An overhead kick from Chris Marsden and an own goal from Paul Butler gave Saints a 2-0 win over Wolves yesterday.

They join Premiership giants Arsenal and Chelsea and First Division outsiders Watford and Sheffield United in the draw for the last four.

Strachan said: "If we are all honest, yes I do want to avoid Chelsea and Arsenal.

"I can give you all the 'we have to play them sometimes and it's a great challenge for the boys' but if you are honest you would prefer not to play them.

"I'm sure the other two sides would rather have us than Arsenal or Chelsea.

"But we have played Chelsea twice this season and they have not beat us and we have played Arsenal once and they have not beat us - so we are not petrified."

The Saints boss felt his team deserved to beat Wolves, who had arrived at St Mary's with only one defeat in 13 league and cup outings, particularly following a dominant second-half display.

"The first half was 50-50 and in second half I thought we were the better side," he said.

"We defied the wind and the pitch and I think ours was the best of the three quarter-finals yesterday.

"In the second-half we put more thought into our play. I really did think it was there for us when we scored. We went forward and tried to score more goals."

He added: "I'm very, very, very happy. I'm happy for everyone involved.

"When you are a manager or a coach you are happy watching people being happy - that is what you enjoy.

"And the fans who were here and who watched it on the television, I'm delighted for them as well.

"To get to a semi-final is great. We started with a fantastic result against Tottenham and I'm pleased for everyone at the club.

"It is another month of real, real interest."

Strachan was delighted with the performance of every player, but offered particular praise to captain Jason Dodd who effortlessly slotted in at right-back for Paul Telfer, who was out with a hamstring injury.

He said: "Jason Dodd was absolutely fantastic. Telfer has been great there, but Doddsy has come in against a big threat in Mark Kennedy.

"I can beat Doddsy in a sprint, but if you have got a head you can play forever. He was excellent.

"I'm really pleased for him and some of the older lads. The youngsters don't realise what is going on; they might think cup semi-finals happen all the time, but they don't."

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